Arsenal recently released a statement regarding the behaviour of club captain Laurent Koscielny. The French centre back has refused to travel with the rest of Unai Emery’s squad on their pre-season tour of the USA, as he looks to force his way out of the club and back to his native France. There have been several French clubs interested (via The Sun) in acquiring Koscielny’s services this summer. However, none are willing to pay Arsenal a fee for the defender. The news has left many Arsenal fans fuming as Koscielny is meant to be the captain of the club and act accordingly. As well as this, a lot of Arsenal fans are angry that the 33-year-old has chosen to end his nine-year spell at the north London club on such a sour note.
Koscielny joined the Gunners in 2010 from Ligue 1 outfit Lorient for around £10m, having cemented himself as a pillar of the club by making over 300 appearances for Arsenal. The French-Polish defender was relatively unknown before joining Arsenal and has since been in the discussion for the best centre back in the Premier League. During his time at Arsenal, Koscielny won three FA Cups as well as three Community Shields.
Here is the reaction to the drama surrounding Arsenal’s captain:
Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the US for our pre-season tour. [@Arsenal] pic.twitter.com/AwIiFDLQma
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) July 11, 2019
Get him out
— Surin Hirani (@surin96) July 11, 2019
Vincent Kompany knew his finished so Man City agreed to let him go. Koscielny is doing the same thing but arsenal refusing to let go of dead wood smh why are we keeping players that are finished. Monreal,Laurent should be allowed to leave.
— (@ImranR1o) July 11, 2019
Just sell him, get some quick dosh. I’ve never rated him anyway. No one is bigger than the club.
— David Lincoln (@David10447681) July 11, 2019
Most useless captain in the history of the club!
— Mahmudah™ (@bin_aliyyu) July 11, 2019
Get him out, he’s useless anyway
— James Tall (@JTall99) July 11, 2019
What’s the inside story on this ? This is completely out of character … not great that the club has aired dirty laundry in public also
— Brian (@Brianchav) July 11, 2019
2/2 That said, not a good look when club captain is refusing to go on tour with the squad. Reflects badly on the club and Koscielny. He’s given Arsenal good service, be a shame to see it end in a sour way. Let him move on, and find a suitable replacement.
— KonceptKitz (@KonceptKitz) July 11, 2019
After all these years and with service he has given us, Surely it doesn’t need to end badly just let him leave and part ways on good terms.
— El patoe (@patrickowenquig) July 11, 2019
Unprofessional from Laurent who has been a fine servant right uptill now. This might not go down well with fans.
— Tejas (@tejarane) July 11, 2019